Observation:
For the first year of my tenure at this job, I kept my door closed most days. Why? Not sure. Just wanted to keep my head down, have some privacy, keep the world out. (Maybe the constant construction/dirty construction workers milling about made this an easy choice as well.)
But since January, I’ve made a habit of keeping it open most of the time. Why? Not sure. Maybe because we built new classrooms in this building, so now students are walking back and forth all day long — and I like being in the thick of so much youth. Or maybe because our new ventilation system ensures that I get the least amount of fresh, cool air possible, and if I don’t keep the door open, I begin to suffocate.
Now, at least two or three (or four or five) times a day, I get students, instructors, and other staff members dropping in to say hi — the economy-sized stash of candy in the corner helps, of course. But I also feel infinitely more connected to the school community, and I’m actually significantly more happy with my working day now that I have a steady stream of friendly faces saying hello.
That, and I’m starting to get a reputation for being “Girl Who Plays Good Music” in the hallways. And that’s pretty cool.